Ahead of the match against Bangladesh, the skipper of Pakistan Sarfaraz Ahmed quoted that his side would try to score 500 runs on the board in order to give themselves the best chance on the field. Meanwhile, after looking at the pitch, the Indian cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra mocks the Pakistan skipper.
Pakistan needs to beat Bangladesh by a margin of at least 311 runs when the Asian rivals meet in London on Friday to leapfrog New Zealand and qualify for the semi-finals. For Pakistan to qualify to the semi-final, they have to beat Bangladesh by 311 runs after posting 350 or beat Bangladesh by 316 runs after scoring 400 or beat Bangladesh by 321 runs after scoring 450.
We have to make 500-550 runs – Sarfaraz Ahmed
No team has managed to win by a margin of 300 or more in World Cups and no score of more than 400 has been posted in the ongoing edition of the World Cup. Pakistan’s highest total in World Cup 2019 has been 348 that they had scored against England and they haven’t scored more than 400 even once in ODI cricket.
“We will give it our best but we have to be realistic. If we make 500 or 400 runs, we can surely hope that the opposition team can get out on 50. We will try our best. It is not a hidden fact that we have to make 500-550 runs and win by a margin of 316 runs. We have to be realistic but we will try out best,” Sarfaraz had said on the eve of the crunch match.
In reply to Sarfaraz Ahmed, Aakash Chopra, after looking at the pitch, quoted that the good news for Pakistan is that the pitch can offer 550-570 runs but only after playing a couple of innings. He mentioned that the wicket looks solid enough for 280 runs and can be defended easily.
“Good News: The pitch at Lord’s good for 550-575 runs. Bad News: 575 to be spread over two innings. Win the toss…bat first. 280-285 defendable. “
Good News: The pitch at Lord’s good for 550-575 runs.
Bad News: 575 to be spread over two innings.
Win the toss…bat first. 280-285 defendable. #CWC19 #PakvBan— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 5, 2019